Many of you may not know this, but when we get inquiries to SaveOne from men, women, and family members needing help after abortion, the first thing we do is look for a local chapter near them. If there isn’t a nearby chapter, then we find a staff member or chapter leader to walk through the study with this person one on one. It is our undying passion to make sure every person who contacts us gets the love, attention, and healing they seek.
Tammy Downs was one of those inquiries. One of our staff members, Judy Ellis in Wyoming, walked through the Bible study with her and she found freedom she didn’t know existed. God ordered her steps and we are so thankful for that!
I hope you enjoy reading her interview and miraculous story below….
Sheila: Tammy how long have you been a chapter leader with SaveOne?
Tammy: Since the spring of 2017.
Sheila: Will you tell us a little about your abortion story and what God did in your life?
Tammy: My first abortion was July 9, 1984. I had been raped in May. I truly did not realize what I had done. I was married 9 days after the abortion and pregnant again 3 months later. My son never had a good mother because I took the abortion out on him. I didn’t realize that until I went through SaveOne.
My second abortion was 2.5 years later on April 15, 1987. My third, and final abortion was June 20, 2003. My husband had a vasectomy right after we married; 6 months later I was pregnant. I was almost 40, he was 57. We didn’t want a child with Downs Syndrome. We found out on Monday that we were pregnant and on Friday my baby boy was taken from me in the cruelest of ways; abortion. I remember praying that my husband would storm through the door and tell me not to do it, but he didn’t, he stayed in the waiting room. That 3rd abortion almost took my sanity from me and almost ruined my marriage. One very late night I was hurting and went to the computer and looked up “help after an abortion” and found SaveOne. When I first talked to the woman who took me through the course, she couldn’t understand me because I cried so hard I couldn’t talk. I was a broken mess. I couldn’t read prolife billboards, or bumper stickers without guilt ripping my heart out. I couldn’t stand to be around anyone who talked about abortion and ALWAYS found a way to get out of the conversation. New babies and pregnant women made me feel so guilty. I was convinced I was going to hell and that was it. You see, I had been a Christian since the first abortion. One abortion makes a second one easier to choose. It is of the devil. Abortion eats your spirit man. Abortion ruins relationships. My husband and I could not have a simple argument without ME bringing up the abortion……7 years of me blaming him EVERY time we had a disagreement. The argument could be something as simple as forgetting to buy milk at the market and I would escalate it to the abortion. It was horrible. Thank GOD I found SaveOne. Thank GOD HE was with me that night on the computer because it had never occurred to me to look for abortion recovery!! The world needs to know SaveOne is out there because it works. It heals. My husband also went through the SaveOne for men after he saw the difference in me. Not one time since I went through SaveOne have I EVER blamed my husband nor have I brought up the abortion, unless we were talking about SaveOne. It’s been years of freedom. Praise the Lord!!
Sheila: What is one thing you would like to tell the world about SaveOne?
Tammy: It works! SaveOne is LOVING , KIND, and COMPASSIONATE.
Sheila: If people could only hear one “God-truth” about your story what would it be?
Tammy: I went from total despair, total guilt and shame to total freedom and absolutely no shame. I KNOW I am forgiven. I KNOW God loves me, always has and ALWAYS WILL.
Sheila: Would you like for us to highlight and mention your ministry? If so, please tell us what you would like the world to know.
Tammy: SaveOne in Jefferson City, Missouri is on the Lincoln University campus. Faith Family Church is 100% behind this ministry and prays for us, allows us to speak/give updates and they cheer us on all the time. My pastors have gone through the SaveOne book, been to my very first Night of Honor (the graduation service from SaveOne) and they are our biggest cheerleaders.
See why I love Tammy so much? I’m so thankful she was brave enough to face her painful past and now others are benefitting from that bravery, ending abortion one person at a time. Keep up the great work Tammy! We’re so proud of you!